title: ERP correlates of performance monitoring in elderly.
abstract: Previous studies on performance monitoring repeatedly found attenuated error-related negativities (Ne/ERN) in elderly, while findings for the correct-related negativity (Nc/CRN) are inconsistent. The present study aimed at clarifying inconsistent Nc/CRN results in elderly. Therefore, a refined design was employed to control for potential influences on the Nc/CRN, namely decision uncertainty and partial error processing. Further, we intended to study Nc/CRN variations with trial compatibility that were found in previous studies for younger but not for older adults. Results revealed increased Nc/CRN and decreased Ne/ERN amplitudes in older compared to younger adults. While the Ne/ERN was larger than the Nc/CRN in younger adults, both components were similar-sized in older adults. Further, a modulation of Nc/CRN amplitudes between compatible and incompatible trials was observed in younger adults, but was absent in older adults. Reduced differentiation of response-related negativities with response accuracy or stimulus compatibility in elderly suggests a reduced adaptation of associated processes to changing demands. Further, this might also point to different processes reflected by Nc/CRN and Ne/ERN and to reduced error-specific monitoring but increased general or strategic monitoring in elderly.
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. Melanie.Schreiber@hu-berlin.de
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietschmann
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kathmann
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Endrass
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology